Pneumatic tire.



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UNITED STATES rrrcn.

ATENT TO JOHN SMITH, OF TROY, NEIV YORK, AND HARRY YORK, N. Y.

SMITH, OF NEW PNEUMATIC TIRE.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letter s Patent No. 700,840, dated May 27, 1902.

Application filed April 12, 1902. Serial No. 102,5 10. (N model.)

To all whom, it may concern:

Be it known that I, ENOs SMITH, a British subject, residing at Vernham Dean, England, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Pneumatic Tires, of which the following is a specification.

The invention relates to such improvements; and it consists of the novel construction and combination of parts hereinafter de- IO scribed and subsequently claimed.

Reference may be had to the accompanying drawings and the reference characters marked thereon, which form a part of this specification.

Similar characters refer to similar parts in both figures.

Figure 1 of the drawings is a view in side elevation, partly in section, of a vehicle-tire embodying my invention. Fig. 2 is a crosssection of the same on an enlarged scale.

My invention relates to what are commonly known as doubletube pneumatic tires, wherein an inner air-tube is removably inclosed within an outer tube or shoe.

The object of my invention is to provide such a pneumatic tire with metallic armor adapted to protect the same from puncture without changing the shape of either the inner air-tube or the tread of the shoe and without reducing the air capacity of the inner tube or depriving the latter of proper support.

1 represents the shoe or outer tube having the unbroken convex tread 2 and made in the form of an annulus or hoop in the usual manner. For the purposes of my invention I build up the interior of this outer tube by means of spongy rubber 3 or other suitable cushioning material to form upon the inside of the outer tube the flattened seat 4, extending around the interior thereof and adapted to receive and support the armor-band 5, comprising a flattened strip of metal bentto hoop form, having its ends secured together in any known manner. I prefer to use a thin band of tempered steel for the armor-band 5; but the same may be made of any metal adapted to resist puncture.

6 is the inner air-tube,

the general circular 5o cross-sectional form of which I retain in my improved tire. This I am able to accomplish by interposing between the armor-band 5 and the inner tube a separate cradle-band 7, having an outer flattened surface adapted to engage said armor-bandand a concaved inner surface adapted to receive and form a cradlesupport for the inner tube. This cradle-band may be made of any'sui'table material; but I prefer to employ for that purpose hemp or other fibrous material which will afford proper support for the inner tube, but will not add materially to the weight of the tire. The pressure exerted by the inflated inner tube will securely hold this cradle-band and armor-band in place.

When desired, the outer shoe may be provided with a canvas lining 8, covering the seat 4 and interior of the shoe and serving as a general reinforcement therefor, as well as a protection from wear of the armor-band upon the rubber portion of the shoe. This canvas lining thus incloses the armor-band, the cradle-band, and the inner tube.

The outer tube or shoe may be made in any known manner to adapt the same to be applied to the rims of various styles of vehicles and to adapt it to be opened for access to the inner tube, armor-band, and cradle-band and to be maintained closed to properly support the inclosed members when in use in the usual manner.

My invention permits the use of an inner tube of ordinary construction.

My improved tire is adapted for bicycles, automobiles, and other vehicles.

What I claim as new, and desire to secure by Letters Patent, is

1. In a vehicle-tire, the combination with an annular shoe iuclosure having an unbroken convex tread, and an interiorly-located flattened annular seat; of a flattened metallic armor-band extending around the interior of the tire in engagement with the flattened seat on the shoe and wholly inclosed within the shoe; an inner removable air-tube of circular cross-section; and a separate cradle-band interposed between said inner tube and armorband and having a flattened outer surface engageable with said armor-band and a concaved inner surface adapted to receive and support said circular inner tube, said armorband and cradle-band being adapted to be maintained in position between said shoe and inner tube by inflation of said inner tube, substantially as described.

2. In a vehicle-tire, the combination with an annular outer tube having an unbroken convexed tread, and an interiorly-located flattened annular seat; of a flattened metallic armor-band extending around the interior of the tire in engagement with the flattened seat onsaid outer tube; an inner air-tube of circular crosssection inclosed within the outer tube; and a separate cradle-band interposed between said inner tube and armor-band and having a flattened outer surface engageable With said armor-band and a concaved inner surface adapted to receive and support said circular inner tube; and a fabric lining for said outer tube covering said seat and inclosing said armor-band, cradle-band and inner tube, substantially as described.

In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand this 25th day of March, 1902.

ENOS SMITH. Witnesses:

.T. SELLY WARDLE, ERNEST F. FOTTERGILL. 

